Exhibitions On View

Calendar of Events — April 2010

All programs are free for JANM members and included with admission for non-members, unless otherwise noted. Events are subject to change.

Reservations are recommended for most programs; you may use the links below. You may also RSVP by emailing rsvp@janm.org or calling 213.625.0414 at least 48 hours in advance. Please indicate the name, date, and time of the program, as well as your name and the number of people in your party. (RSVPs are not accepted for Family Festivals).

For all ticketed events (classes, workshops, food tours, etc.), pre-payment is required to hold your space. Cancellations must be made 48 hours in advance or no refund will be issued.

The National Museum’s 2010 Gala Dinner theme celebrates the 25th Anniversary of its incorporation and will recognize the collective support and contributions by our dedicated volunteers and community organizations who have laid the foundation for the Museum to become what it is today—the home for our history and our community.

From the beginning it was the shared dream of many to create an institution, the Japanese American National Museum, so that the important lessons and legacies of the Japanese American experience would not be forgotten. Since the Museum’s inception, it has dedicated its work to preserving and sharing the Japanese American story through innovative programming and exceptional educational programs to hundreds of thousands each year locally, nationally, and internationally. Now, in 2010, the dream continues as the Museum broadens its outreach to new and diverse audiences while incorporating additional unique aspects of our story.

Through the Gala Dinner program and Journal, the National Museum will present a celebration and recognition of the many individuals, communities, organizations, and business from across nation who selflessly came together for one common goal—to ensure that one of America’s most important chapters in history is never forgotten, nor repeated.

Japanese Hospital: Caring for the Pre-War Nikkei Community

For the early Issei immigrants, access to medical care was limited. Five Issei doctors sued the State of California after being denied papers of incorporation to build a hospital. The case, Jordan vs. Tashiro, was finally won in the U.S. Supreme Court in 1928. Japanese Hospital was opened in Boyle Heights in 1929.

Dr. Troy Kaji will present the history of the historic case and the establishment of the Japanese Hospital. Clips from recent interviews sharing stories about the pre-war community hospitals will be shown.

This program is co-sponsored by the Little Tokyo Historical Society and the Japanese American National Museum. It is part of a series presented by Discover Nikkei, a project of the Japanese American National Museum made possible through the generous support of The Nippon Foundation.

Other: An Asian American & Pacific Islander Prisoner’s Anthology

This anthology of work by Asian and Pacific Islander (API) prisoners is the first book to highlight the unique stories and perspectives of this growing prisoner population in the U.S. 22 talented API prisoner writers, poets, and artists have contributed to this anthology, which was initiated and co-edited by Eddy Zheng, who was recently released from prison and immigration detention after over two decades behind bars.

Six Taste's Little Tokyo Food Tour

Little Tokyo is home to several restaurants, bakeries, and other historical eating establishments. Its 100-plus years of history provide some fascinating stories. Six Taste's Little Tokyo Tour will take you throughout Little Tokyo, from Fugetsu-Do, a confectionary shop and the oldest building in Little Tokyo to Chado Tea Room, where you'll get to taste some authentic Japanese tea, to several other restaurants and other eateries.

Six Taste's food tours are more than just walking and eating. They hope to provide you with an entertaining, educational, and exciting experience. You'll learn about Japanese culture, the history of Little Tokyo, the art and science of tasting, and have great conversations over great food.

The "Gastronaut Tour" includes a balance of history, culture, and delicious food. You'll stop at some of the most fascinating historical locations in Little Tokyo, meet owners of some of the longest running stores in Little Tokyo, try amazing food at seven different locations, and learn about Japanese culture and culinary customs. This tour is perfect for tourists or LA natives that have never ventured into Little Tokyo before.

Oh! A Mystery of “Mono No Aware” by Todd Shimoda

Oh! is an art-filled and intricately designed novel of Zack Hara’s self-discovery through Japanese poetry, the aesthetic of mono no aware (“things causing intense emotional awareness”), and the tragic phenomenon of suicide clubs formed in social networking websites.

Bringing the Circle Together: Broken Rainbow

Free Screening of Broken Rainbow

The heartbreaking tale of the forced relocation of 12,000 Navajos from their ancestral homeland in Arizona that began in the 1970s and continues to this day. Broken Rainbow bears witness to the machinations of energy companies and their government proxies as they eagerly cast aside the peaceful Navajo to make way for oil, gas, uranium and coal exploration. In their own words, elders and outside experts discuss the rich culture and the history of the Navajo as well as their close friends and neighbors the Hopi. The film follows these Native Americans as they take their protest to Congress and join with the American Indian Movement. Narrated by Emmy-winning actor Martin Sheen. Guests to TBA.

Bringing the Circle Together: A Native American Film Series

Bringing the Circle Together: A Native American Film Series is a FREE monthly film series located in downtown Los Angeles at the National Center for Preservation of Democracy. Directly across from our host sponsor, the Japanese American National Museum. The film series was established to provide quality documentaries by and about Indigenous cultures of the Americas, and bring together a central gathering place where discussion and awareness of issues can be shared with the Native community and its supporters.

The film series is held at the National Center for Preservation of Democracy located at 111 North Central Avenue, between 1st Street and Central Avenue, in downtown Los Angeles. The NCPD can be reached via train, bus, or parking in the area. Screenings will begin at 7pm, and it is advisable to arrive at least 15-20 minutes prior for seating. Each film will include a raffle at the end of the screening. (pdf for directions). Doors open at 6:30pm.

The film series is hosted by Lorin Morgan-Richards and is generously sponsored by the following organizations:

Trunk Show: Elegance Repurposed

Saturday 4/24 & Sunday 4/25!

A trunk show featuring the work of Georganne Alex, Karen Brock, and Kumiko and Yoshiko Imoto.

Meet these artists who re-use and repurpose fine silk kimono fabrics to create art, accessories, and contemporary clothing. It is an opportunity to purchase beautiful and unique work directly from the artisans and support the National Museum’s educational programs.

Kimono: From Past To Present

Come join us for a beautiful and educational kimono show and lecture, featuring men and women's kimono for all different occasions, by the International Beauty Association Yamanoryu Kisou.

The show will feature furisode (a long sleeve kimono worn by unmarried women for ceremonies), homongi (a regular sleeved kimono worn by men and women for ceremonies), montsuki hakama (formal Japanese attire for men), and tomesode (a formal kimono worn by married women).

The lecture will include information about the different kinds of kimonos people wear, kimono patterns and designs, the kinds of kimonos you would wear for different seasons, the evolution of kimono fashion, an explanation and demonstration of how to tie an obi, and more.

This program is sponsored by the Atsuko & Ina Goodwin Tateuchi Foundation in partnership with the Japanese American National Museum.